He was worried about her. She did seem more tired lately. Even the nights when he held her throughout, she didn’t rest easy. She tossed and turned quite often. Still whenever he broached the subject, she would tell him nothing was wrong. This world was vastly different from the one he’d been in but he wouldn’t push, even if he didn’t believe what she said to be true. Women had the right to their privacy.
Finished with his shower, he dried and had just pulled on a pair of jeans when he heard masculine laughter wafting up the stairs. An immediate spike of jealousy hit him hard and he scowled. The amount of control it took him to keep from running down there shocked him. Making his way to the window, he rested against the glass and took several deep breaths. He hadn’t any right to be like that to her.
While standing there, he watched Ta-Mara walk into view, her snug shorts and cut-off T-shirt tempting him all over again. Unfortunately, following her was a man—one he didn’t know, but who appeared to be in great shape. The man wore a suit and continued to follow her out toward a luxury car which was parked in the drive. Levi knew exactly why he walked behind her instead of beside her.
They stopped near the driver’s door and turned sideways so he could see their profiles. The smile on Ta-Mara’s face drove a knife to his gut. She obviously held this man in high esteem. They stood close, her hand resting on his arm.
The man watched her intently, nodding a lot. When he laughed, he showed off a wide, perfect smile and had a deep booming laugh. Levi fisted one hand beside his leg and continued to watch the interaction. A low growl slid free from his chest when the man tucked some of her hair back behind her ear, his touch lingering on her face. Their farewell consisted of her hugging him tightly and sharing a kiss. Levi didn’t move from his spot until the car had backed up and left the driveway.
Unable to ignore the jealousy coursing through him, he made his way downstairs. Ta-Mara was back in the kitchen at the counter working. She looked up when he walked in and gave him a smile, which evaporated much of the ugliness rolling through him. Not all—he was a male who wanted to protect what he considered his—but most of it.
“You look like you feel better,” she said lowering her gaze back to what she worked on.
“I do. Who was that?”
She looked over her shoulder. “That? You mean Mike? The guy who just left?”
Mike. Bastard’s name was Mike.
“Yes.” He couldn’t hide the grumble from his voice and didn’t care to. The proprietary feeling that enclosed about him wasn’t going anywhere.
“Mike is a friend from college.”
Not much information there. “I see.”
If she picked up on his discontent, she didn’t show it or didn’t care. She added another layer of noodles to the lasagna she was making.
“He stopped by to ask about the party for Jasmine. Mike’s her brother. He wanted to make sure we were still on for it and if I needed anything else to help with the preparations.”
Nope, it didn’t make him feel any better to know that man was Jasmine’s brother, not when he knew how flirtatiously she acted. Most likely it was a family trait.
“When’s her birthday?” he asked, moving to stand beside her.
“Two weeks from now. She’s turning thirty—just don’t tell her that, she’s acting like it’s the end of the world for her—but we’re determined to give her one hell of a party anyway.” Ta-Mara shook her head. “Have to lie to the bitch. She is fighting the party so we told her it would just be the four of us girls, but we were going to meet here for drinks before we went out. That way she doesn’t have to drive being the birthday girl and all. She’ll crash here.”
“Will I be in the way?”
“Oh heavens, no. This place will be crawling with people. You’re more than welcome to participate. We’ll have a live band, drinks, food, dancing and more. Of course if you don’t want to be in it, you may want to hide in your room.” She grinned. “The attending women will definitely want to dance with you—and
more
.”
He pressed against her and nipped her shoulder blade. “What about you?”
“I’d love to have a dance but I have a feeling you’ll be spoken for by the rest of the female population.”
“All you have to do is say you want to dance and I’m all yours.”
She turned so they were chest to chest, her hands out to the sides so she didn’t get food on him. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Her voice had become breathy, how he liked it.
He leaned in close. “Do that.”
Their gazes locked onto one another until he finally stepped back, knowing full well if he kissed her there would be no stopping him from taking her. And she’d already stated how she wanted to get this stuff done.
“What can I do?”
Such a loaded question
. Ta-Mara swallowed and took a deep breath. It just wasn’t fair, not even a little bit. Levi wore nothing but a pair of jeans that may have been new but looked like they were a favorite pair, hanging just so on his hips.
Those lean hips
. His bare chest was bronzed and sculpted in a way she was hard-pressed to find on men who didn’t spend their life in a gym.
She gave him instructions and went back to finishing up her lasagna. The fact he knew she wasn’t telling him everything that was ripping through her mind faster than a hurricane and yet didn’t press had her admiration for him increasing. She was still trying to come to terms with it herself.
They worked side-by-side, Led Zeppelin pumping through the docking station she had her MP3 player sitting in. He made a fruit salad and she took the opportunity to watch him. Fluid. Predatory. Masculine. Hell, she could go on and on about him.
As if sensing her gaze upon him, he turned his head and winked. “Yes?”
“Nothing,” she said, putting her attention back upon what she was supposed to be working on. The flush raced up her cheeks and she rolled her eyes at herself. Acting like a schoolgirl with her first boyfriend.
“Is this for Jessie Mae?”
“Yes, except for the pie on the other counter. She doesn’t eat that kind. Still too difficult for her to stand out of the chair longer than a few moments and Susie is so tired when she gets back from work and school. It’s much easier for them to just slip something in and eat. Jessie Mae can even do that from the chair.”
“You really care about them.”
“Jessie Mae is a wonderful woman who’s gotten the short end of the stick more than once. I just want to do my part in making it easier for her to speed along to her recovery.”
A piece of watermelon appeared at her mouth. She accepted it and fought a groan as its rich juice ran down the back of her throat.
“I happen to think you’re doing wonderfully.” Whispered words in her ear.
Butterflies took off again and she had to lock her knees to keep from sinking to the floor. “Thank you. She’d do the same for me if the situations were reversed.” Tipping her head to the side she asked, “Didn’t they do that where you came from?”
A rough chuckle left him. “Well, the slaves would cook it and carry it, but sure… We can call it that if you want.”
Washing her hands, she then covered the pan and set it to the side along with the other things she’d fixed. She propped her hip against the counter.
Why not address it now?
“Do you miss it?”
He looked up from where he’d returned to cutting up fruit, working on some peaches now. “Miss what? Living when people were allowed to own others? No. Living when some weren’t even considered a real person? No. Do I miss the quiet we had instead of all the horns and cars? Yes. The air was cleaner then, and your cities tend to give me a headache if we’re there long. Your house is perfect. I love the surrounding area as well—quiet, and I can sit out and hear myself think. I miss my horses though, riding them.” He scraped the cubes into the bowl. “Did that answer your question?”
She thought about the story,
Unbreakable Bonds
, and couldn’t recall it saying he had horses. Licking her lips, she weighed her words. “I have a friend who has a stable if you’d like to go riding?”
He tipped his head to the side and stared at her. “Do you ride?”
Images of her being on top of him as she rode him until pleasure overtook them both filled her mind. She swiped her tongue along her lower lip. Somehow, she didn’t think he was talking about that kind of riding.
“Not really, no.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “What were you thinking about?”
A sly smile teased her lips. “Probably not the type of riding you were talking about.”
His grin matched hers. “I know you’re good at that kind of riding. I meant on a horse. Although it could be fun on a horse as well.”
That statement created a whole other swarm of visuals to her mind. She shifted a bit and tried to calm the throbbing of her clit. Didn’t work, but she could say at least she’d tried.
“You’ve done it on a horse before?”
“Nope, but I’m up for it. What about you?”
“I’m not that good of a rider.”
His grin did wicked things to her insides. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.” He moved closer. “Why don’t you call your friend and set up a ride? I’d love to spend the day with you and some horses.”
Heat flushed her and she struggled to get moisture into her mouth. “I’ll call him about it. Probably won’t be until after the party for Jasmine though. I got a shitload of books into the store which will keep me there longer.”
“Take me in with you. I’m done with Jessie Mae’s, so I can help.”
“Are you sure you want to spend your days at the bookstore?” She didn’t want him to feel obligated to help her.
“I’m sure I want to spend time with you, Ta-Mara. If working at the store helps you, that’s another bonus.” He touched her cheek. “Unless you’d rather I not be there.”
“Oh no, you always tend to draw in more people, especially if I have you putting out the outside display or working on the one in the window. Women tend to flock in to get a glimpse of you.”
His smile rocked her to the soles of her bare feet. “Glad to help.”
“What do you want for dinner?” she asked. Lord he smelled good, like a perfect blend of his own scent and the fruit he’d chopped.
He ran his gaze over her and her body temperature skyrocketed as heat swarmed her. This man was dangerous and potent. All he had to do was crook his finger and she’d follow him anywhere.
“Leftovers?”
She smiled. He had come to like nights where they had leftovers. They tended to eat them out on the porch in a swing, cuddled up. When she cooked, they normally sat at the kitchen table.
“How about a salad and sandwiches?”
“I’ll start on the salad.”
He walked to the refrigerator as she stared at his retreating form.
Hot. Sexy. Amazing.
She didn’t know what she’d done to have him in her life, but she liked having him there. They worked together. He gathered the evening meal while she finished up the stuff she was putting together for Jessie Mae.
They ate on the swing. Salad and grilled cheese, light and perfect. He cleaned up the meal while she packed the dishes to be delivered. She loaded them into her wagon, then together, she and Levi walked the path from her house to her neighbor’s.
She jogged up the steps and knocked while Levi pulled the wagon up his newly installed ramp. “Jessie Mae? I’m coming in, honey. Levi’s with me.”
“I’ll be right out!” The yelled response traveled down the hall and out of the screen door.
“Just bring the wagon in,” she directed Levi.
They’d just gotten it all in when Jessie Mae rolled into the room. Her hair was done and she had a smile on her face. Ta-Mara pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“How are you doing?”
“Good. Thanks for the ramp, Levi. It’s so helpful.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
Jessie Mae looked at her and grinned. “So polite. Call me Jessie Mae.”
Levi nodded his agreement while Ta-Mara covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
“I’m going to put this food in the freezer and fridge, Jessie Mae.”
“You really need to stop cooking for us. I’m not going to fit in my wheelchair if I keep eating like this.”
“You need to eat,” Ta-Mara said. “Stop arguing because you’ll lose.”
“Of course I will,” Jessie Mae griped playfully. “Need to keep an eye on this one, Levi.”
“I plan on it,” he said, moving up behind her and handing her another dish.
“Good. She gets into trouble.”
“Whatever,” Ta-Mara defended herself. “You do. I’m the good one.”
“Such shit. You know you’re the bad one.”
Ta-Mara winked at Levi. “That’s probably true. Don’t tell anyone though, or it will ruin my reputation.”
The women looked at each other, burst into laughter and said at the same time, “What reputation?”
They visited for a while before leaving. Levi pulled the wagon and they walked side by side on the path.
“You two are a lot alike,” he commented.
“You think so?”
“Yes. You feed off one another. I can imagine how much trouble you encounter out with one another.”
She grinned. “I plead the fifth on that.”
He stopped and pulled her tight to him. “Can I make you talk?”
Her chuckle escaped before she could keep it contained. “You can try.”
His breath fanned her lips. “I think I may just do that.”
She heard the handle of the wagon drop seconds before his other hand landed upon her body. Closing her eyes at the pure pleasure of having his touch on her, she went willingly along with his plans of attempting to make her talk.
Chapter Ten
The pile of books on the display taunted him in ways he’d never known books were able to do. Levi stared at them and shifted his weight from leg to leg. Standing outside the store, he began setting them as Ta-Mara had asked him to do.
They were all romance books, the covers depicting a man embracing a woman who seemed about to pop free from her dress—passionate images. And for each one he touched and set, all he envisioned was himself and Ta-Mara in place of the couple on them. Standing, lying, it didn’t matter.
Great
. He was getting aroused thinking about a woman in the store just through the glass and he had to finish his job before he could go in and see her. She’d been right, however, about him attracting women. They stayed busy and he knew a lot of them entered to see him. They browsed very little but stared at him for the majority of the time in the store. At least they bought. It might only be one book, but they purchased.